Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Okay, it seems old age is finally catching up with me. I went to the eye doctor for my routine exam today and was told it's probably time for bifocals. She told me I could tough it out for another year or two but I would see better overall if I switched to bifocals. By using their fancy equipment I was able to see how my eyesight would be with bifocals and I could actually see better than with a single vision lens. The doctor recommended I get progressive bifocals and try those first. I asked about shooting with bifocals and was told it shouldn't be a problem - she said she had several police officers as patients and none had had a problem. I'm interested in hearing if anyone has any tips or has had any experience/problems shooting with bifocals.

I went to a lined bifocal because of shooting. I tried with the progressive lenses, and I never shot as bad! I need to see a definitive line, and with the progressive, it was too easy to use the wrong part of the lense.

Lasik, my friend. ;)

I am far sighted and need bifocals. I can't tilt my head far enough back to see the sights clearly, especially if shooting quickly.

A very experienced Optometrist had be get a extra set of glasses with the correct Rx along the top of the glasses as well as the bottom. Now a slight tilt down of my head and I can see sights clearly.

Well with the cost for an extra pair or as your main glasses.

I went to bifocals about 5 years ago. I also went progressive at first, they drove me nuts. Not the shooting, but driving. I kept moving my head around like a chicken trying to read license plates, addresses, computer screen, etc.

I ditched them after about three weeks and went with standard line glasses.

I have no trouble shooting either handguns or rifles.

Just as an aside, order your glasses off the internet. I use Zennioptical.com. You can't beat glasses for $40 and they have very good service. The same pair at the store would run $250 at least.

Brian Regan on getting trifocals:

http://www.xanga.com/KWilliams87/videos/1362942670

The whole eye doctor skit is pretty funny (as well as a bunch of his other stuff)... :D

I have trifocals. For general living, they work fine. Shooting, I have to move my head up and down from the sights to the target. I do okay in a range setting, but it would be tough if it was critically timed.

In real life, I doubt they would matter much.